JCAN Criteria
Understanding the color designations used throughout the voter guide
Voter Guide Designations and Criteria – JCAN’s Perspectives
Next to each candidate’s name you will find a color box which reflects our overall assessment of their favorability related specifically to the issues relevant to our OC Jewish community. The criteria used for each ‘box’ is listed below.
Green Squares = Favorable Positions/ No Immediate Concerns noted
Examples include favorable meetings with JCAN, in which the candidate expresses support for policies that promote Jewish community safety, OR public statements supportive of Jewish community safety, including in responses to our questionnaire; AND no other items warranting red flags.
Green Squares with a Gold Ribbon = Proven Upstander for the Jewish Community
Gold ribbons have been reserved for candidates who have previously held elected office and have taken concrete measures in support of our community. This includes measures such as calendaring of Holocaust Remembrance or Jewish American Heritage Month; standing up against discussions of anti-Israel agenda items; intervening on our behalf with other state and local authorities, and/or supporting our lobbying efforts in Sacramento.
Yellow Squares = Some Cause for Concern
Assigned to candidates where we have identified issues that give us pause for concern. This may include inconsistent voting records or declining to complete our questionnaire.
Red = Red Flags are Present
Examples include:
Opposition to or abstention from legislation in support of the Jewish community (e.g., AB715).
Endorsement by CAIR, DSA, Code Pink, or other groups flagged in our index of bad actors.
Stated or demonstrated intention to use their local office to affect matters outside their jurisdiction.
Support for legislation that would harm the Jewish community (e.g., AB2159)
Public statements demonizing or delegitimizing Israel or otherwise applying double standards to Israel [As with the IHRA definition of antisemitism, ordinary criticism of Israel or Israeli policy would not be a red flag.]
Public statements vilifying candidates receiving donations from Jewish or pro-Israel groups.
Refusal to apply existing, otherwise neutral rules, such as time, place, and manner restrictions, or codes of decorum, to unlawful conduct by anti-Jewish groups.
Platforming or being platformed by known anti-Jewish figures (such as Hasan Piker, Nick Fuentes, etc.).
Calling for or endorsing violence against Jews.